Knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China

Objective:To access the level of knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards adverse events following immunization(AEFI)surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province,China.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey involving 768 vaccination workers.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by using SAS 9.3 software.Knowledge,perceptions,and practice on AEFI surveillance were summarized using frequency tables.The mean±SD value was used as the cut-off for defining good(values≥mean)and poor(values<mean)knowledge,perceptions or practice.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic variables associated with knowledge,perceptions,and practice towards AEFI.Results:The proportions of good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance were 78.13%,57.81%and 66.15%,respectively.Having a higher education background,longer years of experience,previous training on AEFI and≥30 years of age were factors associated with good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance among vaccination workers.Conclusions:Over half of the respondents had good knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance work.Interventions on improving the vaccination workers’knowledge,perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance should be considered in order to develop a more effective surveillance system.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang, China: An online cross-sectional study

Objective:To examine COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang,China.Methods:An online cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of teenagers in Zhejiang,China from May 1 to 31,2022.Data were interpreted via univariate and multivariate analyses using the statistical package for the social sciences(SPSS)program.Results:A total of 11115(96.11%)participants and 11449(99.00%)of their children in Zhejiang,China had been vaccinated against COVID-19.Children whose parents did not receive COVID-19 vaccination were 19 times(aOR 18.96,95%CI 12.36-29.08)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts.In addition,children with no previous influenza vaccination,those whose parents doubted the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety or effectiveness,were 6.11 times(aOR 6.11,95%CI 2.80-13.34),8.27 times(aOR 8.27,95%CI 5.33-12.83),and 2.69 times(aOR 2.69,95%CI 1.11-6.50)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts,respectively.COVID-19 vaccine uptake varied between different sociodemographic groups.However,the odds of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine decreased as age and education level increased.The main refusal reasons claimed by participants were that they had medical conditions that may not qualify them for vaccination(53.78%),followed by safety concerns about the vaccine(13.56%),not knowing where to get vaccinated(6.44%),and concerns about fertility issues(5.56%).Conclusions:Despite a highly encouraging level of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Zhejiang,China,the elderly and highly educated people had lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake.It is suggested that tailored health education strategies should be taken to increase the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in such groups.Furthermore,with vaccination rates at such a high level,the pandemic is still ongoing,and public confidence in vaccines may decline.Thus,sufficient evidence-based information regarding COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to the public.

Developing an evaluation model to support evidence-based decision-making on provincial vaccination program of Zhejiang province

Vaccines are considered as one of the most cost-effective interventions to improve the global public health by reducing mortality and morbidity[1].At an ever-increasing pace,new vaccines are being developed and licensed in China,driven by initiatives from both domestic and international vaccine companies.New vaccines are evaluated by Chinese Advisory Committee on Immunization,which makes decisions regarding the use of vaccines based on the epidemiological context in China.

Severe liver injury and clinical characteristics of occupational exposure to 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide: A case series

Background:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide is a key intermediate in the synthesis of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.However,no literature currently exists on 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning in humans.This study aimed to reveal the health hazard of this chemical for humans and summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with occupational 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.Methods:This observational study included four patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning from June 2022 to July 2022.The entire course of the incidents was described in detail.Blood 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide concentrations were detected by a mass spectrometer.Hema-toxylin and eosin staining was performed to assess liver injury,and immunofluorescence was used to evaluate hepatic mitophagy.Results:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide powder(99%purity)entered the human body mainly via the skin and respiratory tract due to poor personal protective measures.The typical course of 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning was divided into latency,rash,fever,organic dam-age,and recovery phases in accordance with the clinical evolution.Rash and fever may be the important premonitory symptoms for further organ injuries.The chemical was detected in the blood of all patients and caused multiple organ injuries,predominantly liver injury,including kidney,myocardium,and micro-circulation.Three patients recovered smoothly after comprehensive treatments,including artificial liver therapy,continuous renal replacement therapy,glucocorticoids,and other symptomatic and supportive treatments.One patient survived by liver transplantation.The postoperative pathological findings of the removed liver showed acute liver failure,and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the abundance of mitophagy in residual hepatocytes.Conclusions:This study is the first to elaborate the clinical characteristics of patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.The chemical enters the body through the respiratory tract and skin during industrial production.The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning causes multiple-organ dysfunction with a predominance of liver injury.Liver transplantation may be an effective option for patients with severe liver failure.The mechanisms of liver injury induced by 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide might involve abnormal mitochondrial function and mitophagy.

The impact of EV71 vaccination program on hand,foot and mouth disease in Zhejiang Province,China:A negative control study

Objective:To estimate the potential causal impact of Enterovirus A71(EV71)vaccination program on the reduction of EV71-infected hand,foot,and mouth disease(HFMD)in Zhejiang Province.Methods:We utilized the longitudinal surveillance dataset of HFMD and EV71 vaccination in Zhejiang Province during 2010-2019.We estimated vaccine efficacy using a Bayesian structured time series(BSTS)model,and employed a negative control outcome(NCO)model to detect unmeasured confounding and reveal potential causal association.Results:We estimated that 20,132 EV71 cases(95%CI:16,733,23,532)were prevented by vaccination program during 2017-2019,corresponding to a reduction of 29%(95%CI:24%,34%).The effectiveness of vaccination increased annually,with reductions of 11%(95%CI:6%,16%)in 2017 and 66%(95%CI:61%,71%)in 2019.Children under 5 years old obtained greater benefits compared to those over 5 years.Cities with higher vaccination coverage experienced a sharper EV71 reduction compared to those with lower coverage.The NCO model detected no confounding factors in the association between vaccination and EV71 cases reduction.

Diabetes and cancer: Associations, mechanisms, and implications for medical practice

Both diabetes mellitus and cancer are prevalent diseases worldwide. It is evident that there is a substantial increase in cancer incidence in diabetic patients. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that diabetic patients are at significantly higher risk of common cancers including pancreatic, liver, breast, colorectal, urinary tract, gastric and female reproductive cancers. Mortality due to cancer is moderately increased among patients with diabetes compared with those without. There is increasing evidence that some cancers are associated with diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms of this potential association have not been fully elucidated. Insulin is a potent growth factor that promotes cell proliferation and carcinogenesis directly and/or through insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1). Hyperinsulinemia leads to an increase in the bioactivity of IGF-1 by inhibiting IGF binding protein-1. Hyperglycemia serves as a subordinate plausible explanation of carcinogenesis. High glucose may exert direct and indirect effects upon cancer cells to promote proliferation. Also chronic inflammation is considered as a hallmark of carcinogenesis. The multiple drugs involved in the treatment of diabetes seem to modify the risk of cancer. Screening to detect cancer at an early stage and appropriate treatment of diabetic patients with cancer are important to improve their prognosis. This paper summarizes the associations between diabetes and common cancers, interprets possible mechanisms involved, and addresses implications for medical practice.

Association between Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 5 Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Han Chinese:a Case-control Study

Objective To investigate the association between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 （LRPS） variants （rs12363572 and rs4930588） and type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） in Han Chinese. Methods A total of 1842 T2DM cases （507 newly diagnosed cases and 1335 previously diagnosed cases） and 7777 controls were included in this case-control study. PCR-RFLP was conducted to detect the genotype of the two single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs）. Odds ratios （ORs） and 95% confidence intervals （95% CIs） were calculated to describe the strength of the association by logistic regression. Results In the study subjects, neither rs12363572 nor rs4930588 was significantly associated with T2DM, even after adjusting for relevant covariates. When stratified by body mass index （BMI）, the two SNPs were also not associated with T2DM. Among the 3 common haplotypes, only haplotype ~ was associated with reduced risk of T2DM （OR 0.820, 95% CI 0.732-0.919）. In addition, rs12363572 was associated with BMI （P〈0.001） and rs4930588 was associated with triglyceride levels （P=0.043） in 507 newly diagnosed T2DM cases but not in healthy controls. Conclusion No LRP5 variant was found to be associated with T2DM in Han Chinese, but haplotype TT was found to be associated with T2DM.

The Role of Nutrition Education in the Promotion of Iron-Fortified Soy Sauce in China

Iron deficiency anemia （IDA） is one of the most important nutrition issues in China. Data from the 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey showed that the average anemia prevalence in China was 20.1% and the prevalence in women of child-bearing age and of children in some poor regions reached more than 50%; it has been estimated that more than 200 million Chinese people are suffering from anemia. Anemia significantly affects physical and mental development in children, decreases productivity in adults, and reduces immune function among the population at large, which leads to a lower health status and limits social development.

Development of Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Vibrio vulnificus Based on Hemolysin (vvhA) Coding System

Objective To establish a TaqMan real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR to detect Vibrio vulnificus based on the hemolysin gene （vvhA） coding cytolysin. Methods Primers and probes in the conserved region of the vvhA gene sequence were designed for the TaqMan real-time PCR to detect 100 bp amplicon from V. vulnificus DNA. Recombinant plasmid pMD19-vvhA100 was constructed and used as a positive control during the detection. Minimal amplification cycles （Ct value） and fluorescence intensity enhancement （ARn value） were used as observing indexes to optimize the reaction conditions of TaqMan real-time PCR. The TaqMan assay for the detection of Vbirio vulnificus was evaluated in pure culture, mice tissue which artificially contaminated Vibrio vulnificus and clinical samples. Results The established TaqMan real-time PCR showed positive results only for Vibrio vulnificus DNA and pMD19-vvhA100. The standard curve was plotted and the minimum level of the vvhA target from the recombinant plasmid DNA was 103 copies with a Ct value of 37.94±0.19, as the equivalent of 0.01 ng purified genomic DNA of Vibrio vulnificus. The results detected by TaqMan PCR were positive for the 16 clinical samples and all the specimens of peripheral blood and subcutaneous tissue of mice which were infected with Vibrio vulnificus. Conclusion TaqMan real-time PCR is a rapid, effective, and quantitative tool to detect Vibro vulnificus, and can be used in clinical laboratory diagnosis of septicemia and wound infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus.

Inverted U-Shaped Associations between Glycemic Indices and Serum Uric Acid Levels in the General Chinese Population:Findings from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort(4C)Study

Objective The relationship between serum uric acid(SUA)levels and glycemic indices,including plasma glucose(FPG),2-hour postload glucose(2 h-PG),and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1 c),remains inconclusive.We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population.Methods The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study.A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged≥40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment.The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models.Results A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis.Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels,but with different inflection points in men and women.The thresholds for FPG,2 h-PG,and HbA1 c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L,11.0/14.0 mmol/L,and 6.1/6.5,respectively(SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices).Conclusion An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes,while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.

Decontamination Efficacy of Disinfection and Doffing of Medical Protective Clothing:A Combined Mannequin and Personnel Study

Personal protective equipment(PPE)plays a key role in protecting healthcare workers(HCWs)from highly infectious diseases.Appropriate use of PPE based on the level of exposure can prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection of otolaryngologists[1].

Immunoregulatory Effects of Ethyl-acetate Fraction of Extracts from Tetrastigma Hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg on Immune Functions of ICR Mice

Objective To evaluate the effects of ethyl-acetate fraction （EAF） of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg （TDG） on immune functions of ICR mice. Methods ICR mice were exposed to different doses of EAF for 15 or 30 days and then their immune functions were analyzed, including ConA-induced splenic lymphocyte transformation, SRBC- induced delayed type hypersensitivity response, serum hemolysin analysis, antibody-producing cells, peritoneal macrophage phagocytized chicken red blood cells, natural killer cell activity, and serum level of cytoldnes. Results EAF of extracts from TDG at different doses had various effects on immune functions of ICR mice. As compared with the controls, it increased the mouse spleen lymphocyte transformation induced by ConA, the left-hind voix pedis thickness and the number of plague forming cells （PFCs） at the dose of 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the ink clearance ability at the dose of 0.91 mg/mL, 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the phagocytosis index of mononuclear-macrophages and production of serum interferon-gamma （IFN-？） at the dose of 5.48 mg/mL; and could promote the production of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） at the dose of 9.12 mg/mL. Conclusion EAF of extracts from TDG can regulate mouse immune functions in vivo.

Accumulation and speciation of selenium in Cardamine sp. in Yutangba Se Mining Field, Enshi, China

A naturally selenium-accumulating Cardamine sp. is growing in Yutangba Selenium Mining Field, Enshi area, Hubei Province, China, where the geochemical environment is selenium-enriched and endemic selenosis ever occurred in humans. The present study investigated the characteristics of accumulation, speciation and quantity of selenium in Cardamine sp. with HPLC-ICP-MS. Results show that Cardamine sp. can accumulate Se at most 1427 mg/kg in seedling leaves. Even after the biomass incensement of growing up, the plant still could accumulate Se up to several hundred of mg/kg in concentration. Moreover, the biomass enrichment coefficient(BEC) of Se is exceedingly high, in the seedling leaves mostly, higher than 50 mg/kg; in the range of 43.7–68 mg/kg; and the lowest value is higher than 3 mg/kg in mature fronds. Se is present in the plant predominantly in form of Se Cys2 with the highest concentration in seeds; up to 1081 mg/kg as Se. In contrast, Se Cys2 levels are low during early growth period; they are 136.1 mg/kg as Se in seedling fronds and 39.4 mg/kg as Se in mature fronds, respectively. Se Met concentration is comparatively low; 10.6 mg/kg as Se in seedling frond and 5.3 mg/kg as Se in half mature fronds, respectively. This indicates that Cardamine sp. is extremely efficient in extracting Se from soil and translocating it into its above-ground biomass. Therefore, Cardamine sp., found in Yutangba Se Mining Field may be a new Se hyperaccumulator. It is still uncertain whether the Se-accumulation or detoxification of Cardamine sp. happens through the pathway of Se Cys methylated to form Se-methylseleno Cys or through the formation of Se-carboxymethyl- selenohomocysteine. Indeed, further study should be carried out on the determination of more Se species to explain the high Se hyperaccumulation in Cardamine sp.

Renal Protective Activity of Hsian-tsao Extracts in Diabetic Rats

Objective To investigate the renal protective activity of Hsian-tsao Mesona procumbens Hemsl. water extracts in diabetic rats. Methods Thirty Sprague-dawley female rats were randomly divided into three groups （n=10 each）, ＂control group＂ with intraperitoneal saline injection, ＂diabetic group＂ with 60 mg of intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection per kg of body weight and ＂Hsian-tsao group＂ with intragastric administration of Hsian-tsao extraction everyday for 4 weeks after intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection. The body weight and blood sugar were measured before and after model induction in the three groups. Thrombospondin-1 （TSP-1） expressions in the kidney were monitored by immunohistochemistry. Kidney ultrastructural changes were also analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy. Results Before diabetic model induction, there were no significant differences among the three groups in body weight and blood sugar. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, the differences became statistically significant. Electron microscopy also revealed disruption of the foot processes of the podocytes and other damages in diabetic group. These damages were significantly less severe in Hsian-tsao group when compared with the diabetic group. TSP-1 expressions in the kidney were significantly increased in both the diabetic group and Hsian-tsao group, but it was relatively lower in Hsian-tsao group than in diabetic group. Conclusion Our results showed that Hsian-tsao treatment in the diabetic rats effectively prevented the pathological alterations in the kidney and decreased the TSP- 1 expression. It was suggested that Hsian-tsao had protective effect on the kidneys of the diabetic rats.

Research Progress in Occupational Health Risk Assessment Methods in China

Traditional occupational disease control and prevention has remained prevalent in China over recent decades. There are appropriately 30,000 new case reports of occupational diseases annually. Although China has already established a series of occupational disease prevention programs, occupational health risk assessment （OHRA） strategies continue to be a limitation.

Longitudinal Changes in Liver Aminotransferases Predict Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Patients with Nonviral Hepatitis

Objective This study explored the correlation of longitudinal changes in serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels with the incidence of metabolic syndrome （Mets） based on a dynamic health examination cohort. Methods A Mets-free dynamic cohort involving 4541 participants who underwent at least three health examinations from 2006 to 2011 was included in the study. Mets was defined according to the Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch definition that included hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Generalized estimating equation （GEE） model was used to analyze multivariate relative risk （RR） of repeated observations of ALT and AST in quartiles for Mets or its components according to gender. Results In all, 826 Mets cases were reported. Adjustment of relevant parameters indicated that time-varying changes in ALT and AST levels were positively associated with the incidence of Mets in a dose-response manner. Positive association between high ALT levels and fatty liver was much stronger than that between high AST levels and fatty liver, particularly in male participants. These associations were consistently observed in the following subgroups： participants with ALT and AST levels of 〈40 U/L, participants with of 〈25 kg/m2, and participants with non-fatty liver. Furthermore, participants with 2 Mets components at baseline showed lower multivariate adjusted RRs of ALT and AST for Mets than participants with 0-1 Mets component. Conclusion These results suggested that elevated serum ALT and AST levels were early biomarkers of Mets or its components.

An Investigation of Oxidative DNA Damage in Pharmacy Technicians Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs in Two Chinese Hospitals Using The Urinary 8-OHdG Assay

Objective To investigate oxidative DNA damage in pharmacy technicians preparing antineoplastic drugs at the PIVAS （Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Service） in two Chinese hospitals. Methods Urinary 8-OHdG served as a biomarker. 5-Fluorouracil （5-FU） concentrations in air, masks and gloves were determined. The spill exposure of each PIVAS technician to antineoplastic drugs was investigated. Eighty subjects were divided into exposed group t, II, and control group I, II. Results 5-FU concentration ratios for gloves and masks in exposed group I were significantly higher than those in exposed group II （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The average urinary 8-OHdG concentrations in exposed group I, control group I, exposed group II, and control group II were 24.69＋0.93, 20.68＋1.07, 20.57＋0.55, and 12.96_＋0.73 ng/mg Cr, respectively. Urinary 8-OHdG concentration in exposed group I was significantly higher than that in control group I or that in exposed group 11 （P〈0.02）. There was a significant correlation between urinary 8-OHdG concentrations and spill frequencies per technician （P〈0.01）. Conclusion There was detectable oxidative DNA damage in PIVAS technicians exposed to antineoplastic drugs. This oxidative DNA damage may be associated with their spill exposure experience and contamination of their personal protective equipment.

Correlations of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in Children's Blood in Areas of Computer E-waste Recycling

Objective To study correlations of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs）, DIOXIN, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDE） with thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH） in children, and assess the impact on children＇s health. Methods Three hundred and sixty nine children aged from 6 to 8, including 195 from Luqiao, the computer E‐waste recycling area, and 174 from Longyou, the control area, were selected for this investigation to elucidate the correlation of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in children’s blood samples. The children had a physical examination and their blood levels of PCBs, DIOXIN, PBDE, and TSH were detected after sample collection. Results In the E‐waste recycling area, the contents of PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH in the blood samples of children were 484.00±84.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 664.28±262.38 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 26.00±19.58 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight and 1.88±0.42 μIU/mL （serum） respectively, while in the control area, the PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH contents were 255.38±95 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 375.81±262.43 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 39.64±31.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, and 3.31±1.04 μIU/mL respectively. Conclusion The health status of children in the control area are better than that in the contaminated area. Among children who are exposed to persistent organic pollutants, the pollutant content increases significantly in their serum, and the distribution of TSH levels in their bodies are also affected.

Low Doses of Rifampicin Used in New Tuberculosis Patients Correlated to Increased Frequency of Rifampicin-Resistance and Poorer Treatment Outcomes

The prognosis of patients with previously treated tuberculosis (TB) was suggested to be dependent on whether the initial treatment was in compliance with the established guidelines. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to determine the proportion of new TB patients who received standard doses of rifampicin in multiple provinces of China, and the relationship between low doses of rifampicin and frequency of rifampicin-resistance as well as treatment outcomes. A total of 713 new TB patients were treated with either once-daily dose of bulk anti-TB drugs (group I) or every other day combination blister packs of anti-TB drugs containing rifampicin (group II) at more than 30 TB treatment centers/hospitals in China. Treatment history, therapeutic doses of rifampicin, and information about patients were extracted from their medical records and analyzed, and rifampicin-resistance of isolates collected from patients following the treatment as well as treatment outcomes were compared between two treatment groups. Among 522 patients in treatment group I, 154 (29.5%) received standard and 363 (69.5%) received low doses of rifampicin;238 (45.6%) isolates were rifampicin-resistant, and 243 (46.6%) were successfully treated. Among 191 patients in treatment group II, 175 (91.6%) received standard and 15 (7.9%) received low doses of rifampicin;72 (37.7%) isolates were rifampicin-resistant, and 105 (55%) were successfully treated. When patients who received low doses of rifampicin were compared to others within the same treatment group, increased rates for rifampicin-resistance and treatment failure were observed. Results from this study showed that most new TB patients in treatment group I (69.5%) received low doses of rifampicin, and their treatment outcomes were worse than those in treatment group II, indicating that low doses of rifampicin used for the initial treatment of new TB patients were correlated to increased frequency of rifampicin-resistance and poorer treatment outcomes.

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae and Identification of Risk Factors in China

Serum samples were tested for Bartonella henselae Ig G antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence assays.We then analyzed associated risk factors.Serum samples were considered positive when reactive at a dilution of more than 1:320.